The Passing of the Leash

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Inc

Passing of the Leash Ceremony

www.medicalservicedogs.com

I read an article in the local newspaper today that there was going to be something called “The Passing of the Leash” at Holy Family Catholic Church in Williston with a dessert social preceding the program.  Since Steve and I had nothing planned except to plant ourselves in front of the boob tube (and Saturday night TV—to me—is horrible), we decided to make the journey to see what was happenin’.  The article gave a number to RSVP.  I called and made the reservation.  There was no admission charge, but donations are REALLY welcomed.  It is really expensive to train the dogs and the recipients do pay, so donations are extra special.  The organization depends on individual donations, corporate sponsors, private foundations, etc.  They do a wonderful job matching dogs with recipients.  Many are veterans from Viet Nam and our current engagements—Iraq and Afghanistan.

Some have had other situations in their lives which have caused PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).   Guardian Angels provide dogs to people who have suffered mentally and/or physically.  We usually think of PTSD as combat related with flashbacks and nightmares, but any traumatic situation can cause this in some people.  I do think that the majority of PTSD comes from the Armed Forces community.  And, I do not think that it is only with the wars like Nam and the Middle East (which do/did not have any clear goals to many of the soldiers and produce further complications—this observation came from one of the Iraqi veteran recipients) that warriors suffer(ed) from this malady.

After World War II, many suffered from “shell shock.”  Different name, but, I’m betting the same problem.  My great grandfather served in the Union in the American Civil War (War Between the States).  His early letters were sweet and folksy and often.  Toward the end of the War, the letters were bitter, complaining, whinny and seldom.  After that war, he came home and fathered one more child (they already had four).  After that he deserted the family, never to be seen again—leaving New England to land in West Virginia and—probably--Virginia.  My own personal opinion is that he may have suffered from PTSD.  Doesn’t matter what one calls it (PTSD, shell shock or hot fudge sundae), it appears to me that it is all the same. 

It is good that these men and women now have the possible opportunity to be able to be helped through those horrendous sights and sounds that they lived through on a daily basis.    

The room was crowded.  We knew exactly two people…Kathy—a mover and shaker of Williston Peanut, who also turned out to be our wait staff server—and Padre Rudy, the local parish pastor.  The Padre recognized us as we have been out there for a few occasions—the all community cantatas, for instance (great music).  Padre left after a short time.  Said he had work to do.  Padre, why are you waiting till Saturday night to do that sermon??

We did not realize that it was a fancy schmancy affair and went neat, but sort of casual.  Lots of sparkly women’s outfits.  Many men in suits.  Many uniforms from various Armed Forces branches.  Local firefighter also in uniform.  But this is Williston, after all; therefore, there were some jeans (my personal opinion is that there is no such thing as dress up jeans or good jeans…jeans are jeans and to me will always be lower than casual—no matter what the designer name or price tag).   Anyway, our clothes were okay, but I could have worn something a tad more uptown/upscale. 

Schedule of Events

Dessert Party (wonderful miniature desserts provided by Maria V Creative).  More about this later.

Silent Auction
Raffle Tickets (2 round trip tickets for anywhere Southwest Air flies)
Celebrity Photos
Announcement of various winners
Billy Mitchell Drill Team (Air Force ROTC from University of Florida)

And, then the passing of the leash!

Celebrity

My Strawberry is almost here!

Brad Garrett of Everybody Loves Raymond  fame (Robert Barone--Ray’s older policeman brother).  (We have a local newscaster with the same name).  He posed for pictures with everyone who wished to have his/her picture taken with him.  A very gracious person, indeed.  He willingly signed autographs for everyone who wanted one.  I did not get my picture with him nor did I get his autograph.  I cannot imagine how little ol’ rural, podunky Williston was able to get to get someone of that caliber to come, but someone obviously did.  He is an extremely funny person. We were seated at the back of the room, so we did not hear everything. There was lots of laughter, of which I could not always hear what was being said.  But, from time to time, I was happily able to laugh.  He mentioned that he was staying in a honeymoon suite...with a couple from Denver.  Steve, the literal person that he is, said that he did not know of any honeymoon suites locally.  Steve, it’s a joke…

 

 

The wait staff (members of Holy Family) continuously brought new and different yummies from the kitchen.  At one point Mr. Garrett grabbed a tray and became part of the wait staff.  This particular tray had strawberries on it drizzled with chocolate and a dab of a cream cheese based confection.  I LOVE STRAWBERRIES.  And, I LOVE CHOCOLATE.  So, you can imagine how I feel about the two together.  I had not seen this particular selection before.  So, when he offered me the tray, I took the last one.  At this point he announced in his booming voice that he had seen me eating strawberries before and I took too many.  (Honest, it was the first of, well, many).  Since I don't have a problem and never mind my being laughed at, I did just that—I laughed.  A Hollywood star actually served me a strawberry and then teased me about it.  I am not usually impressed by celebrity(ies), but I really liked him.

We were asked not to applaud as it distracts the dogs, and is not good for some of the recipients.  Well, the drill team/ROTC members were in line to have their pictures taken with Mr. Garrett.  He made an announcement that we should give a round of applause to the color guard members.  He started clapping (and as a natural response…so did some of the audience).  He is a big man, so he was making lots of noise.  Someone had to tell him that that should not be done, so he became the brunt of his own (many) jokes about the applause. 

He told a story about clown shoes.  He mentioned that his feet were so big that they did not fit into the clown shoes.  I feel that his heart would not fit there either.  After spending an evening with him as the honored guest, the audience would have to agree that he has a huge heart.  As the ceremonies were coming to a close, he announced that he was going to donate a dog (actually, he means the cost to train a dog).

The Desserts, Beverage Choices and seating (table setting)

Coffee, Iced Tea—Sweetened or Unsweetened

The seating was at tables with orchid plants as center pieces.  Cups were black. White linen tablecloths. Black napkins.  Black and gold bobbles and beads surrounded the potted orchids. Wait staff in black and white. The plasticware look like silver (they were silver in color).  They looked so good that one might have guessed that they were metal (if not sterling, something close).  We are used to our dinnerware having a certain weight.  Because, the fork looked so “real,” I picked it up and almost threw it over my should, because it was soooooooooo light.  Very pretty.  VERY elegant.

Our table was not full.  To my right were two men from Alachua.  At the end of the table was a local fireman in uniform. I enjoyed talking to all of them.

All Desserts were miniatures:

Tiramisu. Chocolate mousse.  Fruit kabobs (grapes, blueberries, pineapple). Peanut butter pudding style layered over a kind of chocolate cake with chocolate doggie foot prints. Truffles. Tiny cupcakes.  Too many to remember.  I ate enough to feel as though I should not have and did not come anywhere close to trying one of each.  Yummy, Yummy, YUMMY!!!  The wait staff kept coming and coming each time with four or five different goodies, all perfectly arranged on clear trays

Silent Auction
There were some very nice gifts at the silent auction.  We did not end up going home with anything.  Most of the bids were wayyyyyyyyyyy over value stated.  But the Guardian Angels benefited, so that was okay.  Tony, at our table, acquired one of the polo shirts with the organization’s logo.  He had Brad Garret sign it. 

The Color Guard

Four Air Force ROTC presented the American Flag and the Florida Flag in perfect order…clicking heals and all.  We stood to Pledge to the Flag.  I had a good view of Mr. Garrett.  He was definitely saying the Pledge.

The Evening Highlight—THE PASSING OF THE LEASH

This was a very interesting, heart-wrenching, almost-bringing-one-to-tears ceremony.  The Board, Mr. Garrett, trainors, sponsors, and recipients formed a line.  The dogs were lined in order.  The leash with its beautiful dog attached was passed down  (about fifteen people handled the leash) the line to eventually reach the recipient.  This passing, I believe, is symbolic of the many people involved in placing a dog and making a match with a recipient. Most of the recipients have had their dogs for a while, but this was the formal and ceremonial transferring of the dog from Guardian Angels to the various recipients.  I took a couple of pictures of this, but in deference to the recipients and privacy, I am not showing these.

All these dogs are German Shepherds, but other doggie organizations use a variety of dogs for the same and other purposes.

Three of the recipients were women who had suffered PTSD; two  from non-combat situations. I think the third was combat related.  All had problems that the dogs eased.

The other five recipients were all combat veterans…two from Viet Nam; three from current conflicts (was it three and two).  There was also one dog who had just begun training…very talkative critter, but not yet ready to be placed.  Tonight was actually part of the training process…to get the dog used to being in crowds.

The dogs help many by interrupting flashbacks and nightmares.  They help in getting clothes for they pals.  They wake recipients when they stop breathing at night.  Help with meds with reminders.  Turn lights on/off.  Pick up items dropped on the floor.  Fetch other items.  The amount of help that they can render is unbelievable.  Changes lives for the better.

One dog—Honey by name—helped her pal so much to get out of his shell—a wheelchair bound Viet Nam vet-- that he/they is/are now ambassador(s) for the organization.

 Of course, any time one has animals or children involved in an event or program, there is a certain amount of unpredictability.  This is to be expected.  One of the dogs, as the leash was “being passed,” laid down at the feet of about the fifth person and had to be really coaxed to move on down.  Every time a dog got to the end of the line to his “master/mistress,” there was a large amount of tail wagging.

While they are “working,” one should not pet them.  They all were their jackets in which it is stitched on it not to pet them.  But, it is so hard not to.

I promised not to use names of recipients.  So, I will just give the dogs’ names and a whisker of information.  I talked to several of the recipients at the end.  All have said that the dogs have made a tremendous difference in their lives.  Many had feared to leave their homes, and/or had flashbacks/ nightmares.  The dogs have given them so much new found independence and hope of a normal life.

Honey—Viet Nam vet with physical as well as PTSD.  Honey is the only dog whose picture I missed.

Shiloh--Iraq vet

Don'tcha love those ears!
Twinkle--Woman, non combat

Dayla—The new kid on the block.  Brought out to initiate her in social atmosphere.  Very verbal.  Talks often with yips and woofs.

Dazzle

Dazzle

Dazzle's litter mate Razzle--Iraq veteran

Dora--woman, non combat related

Wilson--woman, Iraq vet (I think)

And Bishop—has the best story of all…he was found in a shelter near the end of his term.  He was soon to be “put down” when discovered.  Somebody saw something special in him and saved him from almost immediate surrender of his life.  Skin infection.  Boney.  Today, he’s a beautiful dog with a teammate of a Viet Nam veteran.  One can tell he loves his partner, life and his job.

Lots of love and caring go into the training of the dogs; but there is so much to be gained in return…love and caring goes both ways.  The dogs like to work.  One can tell they like the chores given to them.

While Brad Garrett was offering some of his humor, one of the dogs in line barked when he said certain words.  Can’t work with animals or kids without the possibility of being upstaged.

Under “The Need” in the printed program:

“With over 54 million people in the US with disabilities, over 400,000 of those are our Veterans suffering with PTSD and an additional 30% increase in PTSD is anticipated in our returning soldiers.  With 18 suicides a day in our PTSD Veterans, we are committed to helping as many people as quickly as possible.”

Oh, by the way Steve, it was a great date!